The Lautoka Golf Club’s inaugural RON-69 Pro-Am golf championship last Saturday was a hit among golfers at the scenic golf links.
With a strong easterly blowing from the Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups across one of the oldest courses in Fiji, the Islands Electric-sponsored one-day event saw local professionals and amateurs who swung into action under clear blue skies chasing the range of consolation and cash prizes offered by the sponsor.
Sixteen (16) professionals competed for the $5000 cash prize purse with 60 amateurs vying for top honours in the 18 holes stroke event.
But, it was worth an early morning drive from the Capital City for Suva brothers Tomasi Tuivuna and Anasa Seruvatu, who both carded 68 to force a play-off over three extra holes to determine the winner.
Unfortunately for former national rep Seruvata, his younger brother of nine years, Tuivuna, now 40, prevailed as the champion.
“It was a great finish and it was exciting and encouraging to see golfers from across the border competing at Lautoka Golf Club,” sponsor Raymond Singh said.
“The club champions the development of golf and the enhancement of skills in our players, especially our junior golfers.
“Golf won at the end of the day and I am happy that the RON-69 Pro-Am created top competitions among our family of golfers.”
Meanwhile, Denarau’s Bill Sorowale finished outright third after carding a round 69 with Pacific Harbour’s Waisake Vati fourth on 71.
Amitesh Chandra and Vikrant Chandra grossed 72 to share fifth spot.
A shot further back on 73 was Arvind Lal with Roneel Prakash and Zoheer Ahmed on 74.
New Zealand-based Mukesh Chand, who grabbed gold in the 1993 Pacific Mini Games and 1995 South Pacific Games, carded 75.
Chand was the only local professional to win the Fiji Bitter Fiji Open that was first played at the Fiji Golf Club in 1970.
Labasa native Shiva Rajan shot a round 69 to claim the overall gross title, with former Lautoka and national football rep Dennis Singh accounting for the overall net title on 64.
LGC professional Roneel Prakash was declared the VAT 69 champion while upcoming Roland Singh and Jay Shiu Ram shared the Juniors category on 75.
Fiji Professional Golf Association president Vikrant Chandra, meanwhile, commended the standard of the greens and fairways despite the dry conditions in the Sugar City.
Singh said the next tournament would be the Swire Shipping-sponsored Pro-Am in August.
Other results:
A grade gross – Vinesh Murthi – 73, A grade first net – Praveer Chand- 69, Second net – Lawrence Naidu – 70, Third net – Asish Kumar – 71, B-grade gross – Rakesh Chand – 73, B grade first net – Shamal Ram – 64, second net – Sanjay Krishna – 65, third net – Salen Naidu – 65, C-grade gross – Pradeep Chandra – 85, C grade first net – Reginal Ram – 64, second net – Navin Chand – 67, third net – Pradeep Singh – 68, NTP- 2nd hole – Biren Kumar, 9th hole – Anuresh Chandra, Longest drive – Lawrence Naidu.
